Rotary engine power plant



July 27, 1948 R. T. sAwYER 2,445,973 Y ROTARY ENGINE POWER PLANT Filed Apr-11 15, 1944 Patented July 27, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTARY ENGINE POWER PLANT Robert T. Sawyer, Hohokus, N. J., assignor to American Locomotive Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York l Application April 13, 1944, Serial No. 530,859

, Claims. 1

This invention relates to a rotary engine power plant in which a rotatable load is employed which is intended for rotation in either direction as occasion requires, as for instance a propeller of a ship.

An object of the invention, in its broad aspect, is to provide a. power plant including a load -characterized as aforesaid for reversal of rotation, a rotary engine for rotating y,the load in one direction and another rotary engine for rotating th'e load in the reverse direction, one of the engines rotating the load through the other engine, which other engine, during this period of load rotation, is idling and is rotating in a reversedirection to that when it is rotating the load. y

Other and further objects of this invention will appear from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing forming a part of this application which shows schematically four embodiments of the invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a power plant embodying the present invention, the various pipe connections being broken off, th'e engines being rotated `each by separate power iluid; Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 except that the power fluid leaving one engine enters the other engine for rotating same; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but other elements are added including a rotatable air compressor; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but other elements are added including another rotatable engine; and Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the power plant of Fig. 1 showing a clutch device in partly open position.

The power plant of the present invention comprises, in its broad aspect, a rotatable engine connected to the load for rotating it in one direction, and another rotatable engine for rotating the load in the opposite direction. The rst engine, when driving, rotates in a reverse direction to the second engine, the engines being connected by means including a clutch device or the equivalent, openable to disconnect the engines and closable to connect the engines whereby the second engine rotates the load, through the first engine, in a reverse direction. The first, engine, during this periodA of load rotation, idles and also rotates in a reverse direction. The second engine also rotates another rotatable load, as for instance a rotatable air compressor.

The power plant of the present invention may involve any one of various suitable rotatable loads but as the invention lends itself particularly to a power plant involving a ship propeller, the various views show such a propeller and, for brevity, the description will be confined thereto.

In the various embodiments similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals lwith distinguishing accents added, andthe direction of flow of the power fluid in the various embodiments is indicated by arrows.

' Referring to the embodiment of Fig. 1, the power plant comprises a propeller I, a first rotary engine 2, and a second rotary engine 3. Engines 2 and 3 may be, for example, turbines similar to the corresponding turbines of Fig. 4, later to be described. Th'ese engines are propelled by separate power fluid, that is to say engine 2 does not receive, as power iluld, the exhaust from engine 3. Engine 2 has a power fluid supply'pipe 4, leading to its inlet controlled by a valve 5, and an exhaust pipe 6 leadlngfrom its outlet. Engine 3 has a power iluid supply pipe 1 leading to its inlet and an exhaust pipe 8 leading from its outlet. Engine 2 is connected to propeller I by shafts 9 and I0 and a train of gears II for providing the desired speed for the propeller I. The gears may not be necessary in all instances.

The engine 2 is connected to engine 3 by shafts i2 end la and intervening ciutch device I4 cr iike device. In the various embodiments of the present invention, the means for coupling and un-J coupling th'e shafts is preferably a well-known type of clutch device shown indetail in Fig. 5 in partly open position, which is oi.' the type employed in the Slattery Patent 1,107,711, see Fig. l thereof, and shown symbolically in Figs. 1 to 4 in the instant case. Referring more particularly to Figs. l and 5, the clutch device M is operated in the usual manner to open and close it, opening it when the engine 2 is to rotate the propeller I in one direction, and closing it when the engine 3 is to rotate th'e propeller in the reverse direction.

The clutch device I4 includes the jaws Ida and Mb. The jaw Ila is fixedly secured on the shaft I2 and the jaw Mb is splined to the shaft I3 to be slid thereon when operating the clutch device. The jaws rotate with their respective shafts. Th'e jaw I4b is manipulated, to open and close the clutch device, by a lever Mc, fulcrumed' on a bracket mi which will be secured tc any suitable stationary support. The engine 3 has a shaft I5 which terminates in a collar I6 for connection to a rotatable load (not shown) which will be rotated by the engine 3 wh'en the engine 3 is rotating the propeller I and also when engine 3 is not rotating propeller I.

The operation of the power plant of Fig. 1 is as follows: Engine 3, in practice, is provided with ulated .to close pipe 8' hot gas by pipe -gas leaves turbine 3" I" and 4" to turbine 2" for rotating it.

a load at the collar I8 and it will rotate this load in the manner aforesaid and in one direction only, namely in a reverse direction to the direction of rotation of engine 2 when engine 2 is rotating the propeller I. When clutch device I4 is open engine 2 will rotate propeller I in a predetermined direction, engine 2, during this period, rotating oppositely to the direction of rotation of engine 3. When th'e clutch device I4' is closed Preferably a'two-way valve Il is employed, conveniently disposed at the junction of pipe 4' and pipe I", the valve being provided with' an exhaust pipe Il. Valve Il is similar in construction to a corresponding valve shown in Fig. 4, later to be described. Also engines 2 and 3' may be turbines .similar to the corresponding turbines of Fig. 4, as aforementioned.

The operation of this power plant is similar to that of Fig. 1 except that the two-way valve I1 is manipulated so that when engine 2' is rotating the propeller I' the valve Il opens pipe 8' to pipe 4', andcloses it to exhaust pipe I8 for supply of exhaust from engine 3 to engine 2. When engine 3f is rotating the propeller the valve I1 is manipfrom pipe 4' and to open it to exhaustpipe I8.

Referring to the embodiment of Fig. 3, the

power plant is similar to that of Fig. 2 except that various features are added, the engines be ing, in this embodiment, hot elastic fluid turbines, similar to the aforementioned turbines of Fig. 4, and they will be so considered hereafter. The fluid will usually be hot air under pressure or hot airl and products of combustion under pressure, and,I will be hereafter designated as hot gas, for convenience. The turbine 3" is supplied with and is led through pipes While in describing Figs. l and 2 the broad term rotary engines is employed it is obvious thatthe engines, if desired, may be hot gas turbines, and in such case the embodiment of Fig. 2

.would `in no way differ from the embodiment of Fig. 3 as thus far described. However in the embodiment of Fig. 3 a combustion chamber I9 is employed for adding heat land products of combustion to the power gas for turbine 3" and is connected at its outlet to the pipe 1".

This construction of turbines with their associated parts, as thus far described; presents an operative unit. This unit is shown as having a second combustion chamber 20 receiving-at its inlet exhaust from the turbine 3" through pipe 8" and at its outlet being connected to the pipe 4'? for supplying turbine 2" with the reheated exhaust and additional products of combustion.

-The two-way valve Il is interposed in the pipe 4" and provided with the exhaust pipe I8', later further referred to. Chamber 20 may be given a heating capacity relative to that of the chamber I9 so that the pressure 'rotating turbine 2" may be equal to or even greater than the pressure rotating turbine 3".

lWhile Fig. 3 is diagrammatic, the stationary 4 and rotary parts of the turbines 2" and I" are indicated and the control valve Il' for the turbine 2" is shown in cross section so that the reversing of the power plant can be more clearly understood. Turbine 2 has stationary blades 44a directing the gas entering the turbine from duct 4" in a proper manner so that it will rotate the turbine rotor a in the proper direction for driving the propeller I" in a forward direction when gas is flowing through the duct 4". Turbine 3" has stationary blades 46a directed oppositely from the stationary blades 44a oi' turbine 2", and the rotor 41a of turbine 3" has blades which are oppositely directed from the blades of rotor 45a so that gas entering turbine 3" from duct 'I" rotates rotor 41a in the opposite direction from rotation of rotor 45a when rotor 45a is being driven by its gas. The direction of rotation of rotor 41a is always the same and is indicated by an arrow. In Fig. 3, the clutch device I4" is shown closed. In other Words propeller I" and turbine 2 are being driven by turbine 3". 'I'hus at this time rotor 45a will be rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, in the same direction as rotor 41a. Thus turbine 2" will not be provided with any gas and duct 4 will be closed by valve Il' as indicated in Fig. 3, valve I1' connecting pipe 8" with the pipe 6". Combustion chamber 20 will be inoperative since its supply of fuel will be closed oil.' by valve 22.

The propeller I" as aforesaid will be running in reverse when the power plant is adjusted as shown in Fig. 3. If it 1s desired t drive the propeller I in a forward direction, then clutch I4" will be opened by means of its lever Hc', valve I1' will be turned to connect ducts 8 and 4", and valve 22 will be opened to supply fuel to the combustion chamber 20. Rotor 41a will then run in the same direction, that is, in the direction of the arrow shown, but rotor 45a will run in the opposite direction, that is, in the directionvopposites to that indicated by its arrow.

l" for rotating it, and this hot l The operation of the embodiment of Fig. 3, as thus far' considered, is substantially similar to that of Fig. 2 except that the combustion chambers I9 and 20 are provided. Chamber 20 is provided with a pipe or injector 2| having a valve 22 for supplying fuel and additional air if found necessary to the chamber 20. The fuel used in the several combustion chambers of the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4 will usually be fuel oil. The valve 22 is open when the turbine 2" is rotating the propeller, but is closed when turbine 2" is idling.

This embodiment of Fig. 3 further includes a two-stage rotary air compressor which, for convenience, is shown as separate compressors 23 and 24, the compressor 23 being the first-stage compressor and the compressor 24 being the second-stage compressor. The compressors are connected by a shaft 25 and compressor 24 is connected to shaft I5 so that both compressors will be rotated by the turbine 3". Each compressor has an inlet and an outlet.

A duct 26 leads to the inlet of compressor 2l for supplying the compressor with air. A duct 2l leads from the outlet of compressor 23,-and a duct 28 leads to the inletof-.compressor 24. These ducts 21, 28 are connected by a duct 29, later to be referred to. Thus the compressed air comingfrom the first-stage compressor 23 is supplied to the second-stage compressor 24. A duct 30 extends from the outlet of compressor 24, and a duct 3| extends t0 the inlet of combustion chamber I9. These ducts 30, 3i are connected by a duct 32, later to be referred to. Thus the compressed air coming from the second-stage compressor 24 is supplied to the combustion chamber I3. l

The two-stage air compressor and its associated ducts as thus far described, may -be considered as another unit which has its compressors connected to the combustion chamber I3 and to the turbine 3" of the first mentioned unit respectively by the duct II and shaft I5" Ias aforesaid. Fuel is supplied to this second unit at any suitable place, preferably by thepipe or inlector 33 connected directly with the chamber Il.

A cooler and a heater are shown in this enibodiment although they may be dispensed with, if desired. The cooler is diagrammatically indicated at 34. A cooling element is indicated .at 35 for the cooling medium, which .may be water which flows through the element as indicated by the arrows. While the ducts 21 and 23 have been described as being connected by the duct 23, this duct 29, when the cooler 34 is employed. will constitute the other element of the cooler 34 for conveying and cooling the fluid passing from duct 21 to duct 25.

The heater is diagrammatically indicated at 36. The heating element is indicated at 31 and at its inlet end connects with the pipes 5" and I5'. It thus receives the hot exhaust from the turbine 2" when it is rotating the propeller I" at which time the pipe I8' is closed by the valve I1'. When the turbine 2" is idling the element 31 receives the hot exhaust from the turbine 3, the pipe IB then being opened by the valve I1' and the fuel supplied to chamber 23 being shut off by valve 22. As similarly stated regarding duct 29, duct 32, when the heater 36 is emp1oyed, will constitute the other element of the heater for conveying and heating the fluid passing from duct 30 to duct 3|.

Referring to the embodiment of Fig. 4. the power plant comprises a turbine unit substantially similar to the unit first described in the embodiment of Fig. 3, and will presently be described more in detail. The second or compressor unit of this embodiment is however somewhat different from that of Fig. 3. It comprises the two-stage air compressor but the two compressors 23', 24' are not mechanically connected for being rotated as in Fig. 3. A third turbine 38 is employed which receives the compressed air from the two-stage air compressor, as will later more fully appear. A duet 39 connects the outlet of turbine 38 with the inlet of combustion chamber I9 for conveying thereto exhaust gas from turbine 38, as will later more fully appear. In this embodiment the fuel supply and air if found necessary for chamber I9' should enter either the duct 39 or the chamber I3', but preferably the chamber I9 as shown by the pipe or injector 33'.

Either one of the air compressors 23', 24 may be connected to the turbine 3" and the other to the turbine 38, but in the present embodiment the vfirst-stage compressor 23"is connected to turbine 38 byshaft 40 to be driven thereby, and the second-stage compressor 24' is connected to the shaft I5"' to be driven by the turbine 3"'. Otherwise the compressors and their associated parts of the embodiments of Figs. 3 and 4 are similar and no further description is deemed necessary.

A heater is employed similar `to that of the embodiment of Fig, 3 except that its element 32 is not connected to the combustion chamber I3'. as in the embodiment of Fig. 3. A third comthe turbine 3l, and element 32' 3" has stationary blades bustion chamber 4I is provided for adding heat and products of combustion to the power gas for is connected to duct 3i for conveying and heating the fluid passing from duct 30' to duct 3i', and therefrom to the inlet of chamber 4I. The outlet of chamber 4I is connected by a duct 42 to the inlet of turbine 35 for conveying the hot gases to turbine 3l. The fuel supply for the chamber 4| may be at any suitable location between and including the duct 26 and chamber 4I, but it is preferably, as shown, supplied directly to the chamber 4I by the pipe or injector 43.

While Fig. 4 is diagrammatic, the stationary and rotary parts of the turbines 2"' and 3' are indicated and the control valve for the turbine 2 is shown in cross section so that the :reversing of the power plant can be more clearly understood. Turbine 2"' has stationary blades 44 directing the gas entering the turbine from duct 4" in a proper manner so that it will rotate the turbine rotor 45 in the proper direction for driving the propeller I"' in a forward direction when gas is flowing through the duct 4". Turbine 46 directed op'positely from the stationary blades 44 of turbine 2"', and the rotor 41 of turbine 3' has blades which are oppositely directed from the blades of rotor 45 so that gas entering turbine 3 from ductv 1" rotates rotor 41 in the opposite direction from rotation of rotor 45 when rotor 45 is being driven by its gas. The direction of rotation of rotor 41 is a'lways the same and is indicated by an arrow. In Fig. 4, the clutch device l4"' is shown closed. In other words propeller I" and turbine 2 yare being driven by turbine 3"'. Thus at this time rotor 45 will be rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is, in the same direction as rotor 41. Thus turbine 2"' will not be provided with any gas and duct '4l will be closed by valve I1" as indicated in Fig.. 4, valve I1" connecting pipe 8"' with the pipe 6". Combustion chamber 20' will be inoperative since its supply of fuel will be closed off by valve 22.

The propeller I' as aforesaid will be running in reverse when the power plant is adjusted as shown in Fig. 4. If it is desired to drive the propeller I".' in a forward direction, then clutch 14 will be opened by means of its lever |40, valve I1" will be turned to connect ducts 8' and 4', and valve 22 will be opened to supply fuel to the combustion chamber 20'. Rotor 41 will then run in the same direction, that is, in the direction of the arrow shown, but rotor 45 will run in the opposite direction, that is, in the direction opposite to that indicated by its arrow.

While there have been hereinbefore described approved embodiments of this invention, it will be understood that many and various changes and modifications in form, arrangement of parts and details of construction thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and that all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims are contemplated as a part of this invention.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A power plant comprising two rotary engines, each of said engines having an'exhaust outlet and a supply inlet for power fluid, said engines rotating. in opposite directions when each is supplied with'power fluid, said supply inlet of one of said'engines having controllable means adapted to be opened and closed for respectively supplying and cutting oi its said fluid; a power a supply inlet ior powcr one engine is closed, said other engine/ rotating in its s-aid direction and reversing theY direction of rotation of said one engine and its said load.

2. 'A power plant comprising two rotary engines, cach of said engines having an exhaust outlet and fluid for said engines directions when each is supiiuid, said supply inlet of rotating in opposite plied with power one of said engines having an inlet conduit,-

and said exhaust outlet of the' other of said engines having an exhaust conduit; a power plant main load for said one engine;I a load for said other engine; a valve connecting said conduits. and having a port openable to said exhaust conduit, said valve being adapted to open said inlet conduit to said exhaust conduit with simultaneous closing of said port for supply `of exhaust from said other engine as power fluid for said one engine close said inlet conduit from said exhaust conduit with simultaneous opening of said port to said exhaust conduit forexhaust of said other engine through said port; and a clutch for coupling and uncoupling said engines, said engines, when uncoupled and when said inlet conduit is open for said fluid supply, rotating in said opposite directions and, when said engines are coupled and said inlet conduit is closed from said fluid supply, said other engine rotating in its said direction and reversing the direction of rotation of said one engine and its said load. l

3. A power plant comprising two gas turbines, each of said turbines having and a supply inlet for gas, said turbines rotating in opposite directions when each is supplied with gas, said supply inlet of one of said turbines having an inlet conduit, and said exhaust Aoutlet of the other of said turbines having an exhaust conduit, one of said conduits having a combustion chamber provided with controllable means for supplying fuel thereto; a valve connecting said conduits and having a port openable to said exhaust conduit, said valve being adapted to open said inlet conduit to said exhaust conduit with simultaneous closing of said port for supply of exhaust from said other turbine as power fluid for said one turbine and further being adapted to close said inlet conduit from said exhaust conduit with .simultaneous opening of said port to said exhaust conduit for exhaust of said other turbine through said port; a power plant main load for ysaid one turbine; an

air compressor providing a load for said other turbine and having an inlet, an outlet, and a conduit connecting its said outlet with said other turbine inlet, said compressor combustion chamber provided supplying fuel thereto; and a clutch for coupling and uncoupling said turbines, said turbines, when uncoupled and when said one turbine inlet conduit is open for said gas supply, rotating in said opposite directions, and, when said turbines are coupled and said one turbine closed from gas supply, said other turbine rotating in its said direction and reversing the direction of rotation of said voneturbine and said main load.

4. A power plant comprising two gas turbines,

and further being adapted tan exhaust outlet inlet conduit is l exhaust of said other each of said turbines Ahaving an exhaust outlet and a supply inlet for gas,l said turbines rotating in opposite directions supplying fuel thereto; a valve connecting said conduits and having a port openable to said exhaust conduit, said valve being adapted to o'pen said inlet conduit. to said exhaust conduit with simultaneous closing of said port for supply of exhaust from said other turbine as power fluid for saidone turbine and further being adapted to close said inlet conduit from said exhaust conduit with simultaneous opening of said port to said exhaust conduit for exhaust of said other turbine through said port; a further turbine having an exhaust outlet and a supply inlet for gas for rotation of said further turbine in one direction only, and a conduit connecting said further turbine exhaust outlet `with said other turbine inlet, said further turbine conduit having a combustion chamber provided with means for supplying fuel thereto; a power plant main load for said one turbine; rst and second stage air compressors, one providing a load for said other turbine and the other providing a load for said further turbine, each of said compressors having an inlet and an outlet, said compressors having a conduit connecting said rst stage compressor outlet with said second stage compressor inlet, said second stage compressor having a conduit connecting its said outlet with said further for coupling and uncoupling said one turbine and said other turbine, said one turbine and said other turbine, when uncoupled and when said one turbine inlet conduit is open for its said gas supply, rotating in said opposite directions, and, when said one turbine and said other turbine are coupled and said one turbine inlet conduit is closed from gas supply, said other turbine rotating in its said direction and reversing the direction of rotation of said one turbine and said main load.

5. A power plant comprising two gas turbines, cach of said turbines having an exhaust outlet and a supply inlet for gas, said turbines rotating in opposite directions when each is supplied with gas, said supply inlet of one of said turbines having an inlet conduit, and said exhaust outlet of the other of said turbines having anv exhaust conduit, one of said conduits having a combustion chamber provided with controllable means for one turbine outlet for receiving hot gas therefrom; a valve connecting said conduits and having a port openable to said exhaust conduit, said valve being adapted to open said inlet conduit to said exhaust conduit with simultaneous closing of said port for supply of exhaust from said other turbine as power fluid for said one turbine and further being adapted to close said inlet conduit from said exhaust conduit with simultaneous opening of said port to said exhaust conduit for turbine through said port; a power plant main load for said one turbine; iirst and second stage air compressors, at leastone providing a loadfor said other turbine, each of said compressors having an inlet and an outlet, said compressors -having a conduit connecting said rst stage compressor outlet with said second when each is supplied with f gas, said supply inlet of one of said turbines having aninlet conduit, and said exhaust outlet stage compressor inlet; a cooler for cooling said compressor connecting conduit, said second stage compressor having delivery means connecting its said outlet with said and passing through said heater for thereby, said delivery means having chamber, adjacent said other turbine supply inlet, provided with means for supplying fuel thereto; and a clutch for coupling and uncoupling sai turbines, said turbines, when uncoupled and when for said turbine inlet conduit is closed said other turbine rotating in and reversing the direction of rotation o! said one turbine and said main load.

ROBERT T. SAWYER.

from gas supply,

a combustion 10A REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date '152,545 Goede Feb. 16, 1004 868,943 Robinson Oct. 22, 1907 871,030 Burger Nov. 12,` 190'! 2,216,494 Kurtz Oct. 1, 1040 FOREIGN PATENTS i Number Country Date 212,104 Switzerland its said direction g Odi. 31, 1940 

